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<div class="left_inner_box_heading"><h1>Akvis Sketch ready for Snow Leopard</h1></div>
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<p>AKVIS Software has released version 10 of AKVIS Sketch for Windows<br />
and Macintosh. The software converts photos to color and B&W pencil<br />
drawings and watercolor paintings. Version 10.0 has a new tool -<br />
Stroke Direction, which makes the effect of a hand-drawn sketch yet<br />
more realistic thanks to the ultimate control over the hatch<br />
direction. New presets have been added, the Preview Window improved<br />
and other features made available. The program is now compatible with<br />
Windows 7 and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). The plug-in version<br />
also works with Photoshop CS 4 64 bit and PhotoShop Elements v. 8.<br />
This version competes with hand drawn art in flexibility and will<br />
spur the creativity of the user. </p>
<p>AKVIS Sketch is an award-winning program for conversion of photos<br />
into pencil sketches and watercolor paintings. The program has<br />
already won the recognition of professionals and delighted home<br />
users with its neat results. However, there is no end to perfection<br />
and the company released a new version of AKVIS Sketch with many<br />
improvements.</p>
<p>With AKVIS Sketch you do not need to handle a pencil to feel like an<br />
artist. All you need to create your original work of art is good<br />
taste and AKVIS Sketch. Make any photo look like a B&W or color<br />
drawing, imitate the technique of graphite or color pencil, charcoal<br />
or watercolor painting.</p>
<p>Version 10 presents a new tool - Stroke Direction, which makes the<br />
effect of a hand-drawn sketch yet more realistic thanks to the<br />
ultimate control over the hatch direction. Draw guiding lines to set<br />
the hatching, for example, for round objects (like apples, the moon,<br />
etc) and the hatching will follow the curves of the object, as if it<br />
was drawn by a human artist.</p>
<p>Also new to v.10.0 : a new parameter in the Edges tab called Edge<br />
Strength, which controls how edges are drawn by affecting the<br />
intensity of lines and details. The Preview Window has been improved.<br />
Due to popular demand, the Preview Window now not only displays how<br />
the photo will appear as a drawing, it also shows the effect of<br />
applying a canvas, making the selection of just the right texture<br />
faster and more efficient.</p>
<p>The new version offers three new AKVIS presets and is now compatible<br />
with Windows 7 and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). The plug-in version<br />
is now compatible with Photoshop CS 4 64 bit and PhotoShop Elements<br />
v. 8.</p>
<p>As the program offers a new installer, it is important to deinstall<br />
the previous version before installing the new one.</p>
<p>The program works in an entertaining way. You can observe the<br />
conversion of a photo into a drawing or watercolor painting in real<br />
time and even interrupt the process (Esc button) when the required<br />
result is achieved.</p>
<p>Once you have converted your photo into a drawing, you can add some<br />
special effects (the Background tab). Create a blend of a drawing<br />
and a photo; imitate motion or add a "time machine effect" by<br />
swirling the background. Put an accent to certain parts of the image<br />
by blurring the rest of it in an artistic way. It is especially<br />
useful when the final drawing contains too many details in the<br />
background that divert attention.</p>
<p>Also, the parameters on the Canvas tab let you add a rough surface to<br />
your image, as if it has been drawn on canvas, corrugated paper,<br />
brick wall, etc. </p>
<p>It is also possible to add a signature or a greeting to your pencil<br />
drawings to personalize the work of art. </p>
<p>Many photo editing enthusiasts have already appreciated the Sketch' s<br />
features. Take a look at the examples gallery (many created by users)<br />
at <a href="http://akvis.com/en/sketch/examples-pencil-drawing.php" title="http://akvis.com/en/sketch/examples-pencil-drawing.php">http://akvis.com/en/sketch/examples-pencil-drawing.php</a> </p>
<p>Sketch can be useful on many occasions. Surprise your friends and<br />
relatives by presenting them with their pencil portraits. Make a<br />
watercolor drawing out of a photo from your last nature shooting to<br />
decorate your room. Convert your own photo into a color sketch to<br />
print on a T-shirt. Create a comic out of your party videos.</p>
<p>The program can be helpful to designers who need to quickly bring<br />
images to one style for a web-site or an advertisement booklet.</p>
<p>Using batch processing in Photoshop or Paint Shop pro (only for the<br />
plug-in version) you can even convert a film into a cartoon. Like<br />
here: <a href="http://akvis.com/en/sketch-tutorial/cartoon-film.php" title="http://akvis.com/en/sketch-tutorial/cartoon-film.php">http://akvis.com/en/sketch-tutorial/cartoon-film.php</a> For a<br />
free trial, AKVIS offers 10 days of fully functional use. Details are<br />
available at <a href="http://akvis.com/en/sketch/index.php" title="http://akvis.com/en/sketch/index.php">http://akvis.com/en/sketch/index.php</a></p>
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